Customs staff moved on after refusing vaccination
A smattering of Customs officers are being moved to back-room roles after refusing the Covid-19 vaccine.
And some of the agency’s staff who work in smaller centres, and have refused the vaccine, are facing the non-renewal of their contracts because of a lack of behind-thescenes work for them to shift to.
Stuff understands the number of Customs officers who have refused the jab is small, and the agency’s first step is to move them to work away from the public.
However, those on fixed-term contracts for whom other work can’t be found are not having their contracts renewed, it is understood.
A Customs spokeswoman said yesterday morning she was unable to comment ahead of a statement set to be issued that afternoon by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ).
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier said the Government would not be making it compulsory for workers to be vaccinated, but she expected uptake to be high.
Unions have also spoken out against compulsory vaccination.
E tu¯ assistant national secretary Annie Newman said in February the union did not support the vaccine being compulsory. She said a ‘‘no jab, no job’’ stance by employers was a ‘‘dangerous position to take’’.
The Defence Force has taken a hard line with personnel refusing to be vaccinated, RNZ reported. In an email to staff, Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short warned service members refusing the jab would face consequences.
‘‘Electing to not meet the baseline immunisation readiness criteria will result in a review of an individual’s future service.’’